finally, the last chap (finally)

• • •

San

Today is bright, the brightest weather I've ever witnessed that won't irritate my skin or turn my brain into a confused mess.

But then again, the days of me feeling off and weird about my existence -- or my status as a vampire -- are long gone. I've been feeling a lot happier now, a lot more content. The wonky mornings and unbearable days of insatiable blood-lust are over, thanks to the visits at my grandma Sunghee's home, me coming more and more to terms with my identity, and most importantly, as a result of the people beside me.

Especially Wooyoung. The feel of his arm around my shoulder right this moment brings me a certain type of joy I can't fully describe; a fumbling of emotions that leave me breathless yet enthusiastic of our futures.

School's out for the summer, and just last weekend, Wooyoung and I went up to the mountains to hang out with my grandmother. It was our second time going there without the rest of our friends, and just like those other times, it was wonderful.

I never got to meet Wooyoung's mother face to face though due to the busy and volatile nature of her job, but from what I encountered during my video chats with her, I could fully see where her son got his amazing looks and unbridled selflessness from.

The sky's a shocking blue, the kind of blue you'd see in a children's storybook, meant to mimic a fairytale where the characters live happily ever after. And maybe, just maybe, I'm living my own now too.

It's the complete opposite of earlier this morning. I'd woken up on Wooyoung's bed -- as we've been staying there for the holidays -- to thunder rumbling overhead and sharp lightning streaks zooming outside the windows. Wooyoung looked alarmed, then freaked out, and then went on about calling his mother to ask about correctly changing the weather without disrupting the natural flow of the day because he didn't want this surprise to be ruined.

It later turned out he meant decorating the entrance to backyard and into the fields in these vivid deep purple flowers that seemed to twinkle with light as their petals danced along to the icy breeze. Bellflowers he called them. They meant endless support, love and gratitude.

And although the rain didn't let up because the call didn't go through, the magic never left those flowers as they glowed and shimmered even with the chaos in the sky. And it was beautiful, the whole thing was, and it made the start of my twenty-first birthday a lot more meaningful.

But as the day progressed, the weather turned a complete one eighty -- which I should've expected because...it's magic! Both in the technical form, and because of the people around me that have transformed my life for the better.

As I stare ahead at the guys rough-housing about in the crystalline sea, their boisterous laughs like chimes in my ears, I break out into a big smile.

"Oi, San and Wooyoung!" Someone yells from the shore. It's Mingi, in short sleeves and grey shorts that match the colour of his damp hair. Somehow he's carrying Yeosang on his back, Yeosang's hidden smile a lot clearer with every second that passes. "Are you two just going to sit there on those chairs or what?"

I can't read Wooyoung's mind anymore ever since my grandmother's intervention, but his soft smile as he faces me makes it clear he's not doing anything I don't want to do.

This is all his idea. I mentioned in passing one time about how I haven't really went to the beach, and now that I'm here at this private area Hongjoong rented out for today, it's as beautiful as it is daunting.

But I want Wooyoung to have his fun, so I shake my head and playfully nudge his exposed shoulder. Like Mingi, he's wearing a black short-sleeved shirt, which shows off the results of the few times a week he goes running with Yunho. I'm not that big on exercising, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't like his more athletic figure.

"It's fine," I tell Wooyoung. "Go have fun."

Wooyoung's brows furrow. "But -- "

"San," Hongjoong commands in a tone all too lighthearted despite his attempts at looking stern, crossing his arms. "Please retreat from that umbrella with Wooyoung and come get tan with us."

"Like vampires can even get tan," Wooyoung scoffs. Hongjoong proceeds to look very triggered.

"San, look," Hongjoong runs up to us, shoving the exposed parts of his arms in my face. I can't help but laugh at how determined he is to prove he got tanned. "I'm slightly more golden now. See?"

"I -- I think so?" I reply, not really knowing what else to say.

"Or did you just get sunburned?" Wooyoung adds as he takes a sip out of the soda cans we brought along on this trip.

I swear Hongjoong's face turns as red as his hair currently tugged into a half-ponytail. He snaps his fingers. "Yunho!"

Yunho barrels towards us and before I know it, Wooyoung is screaming over his shoulder before he consequently gets dumped into the water.

Laughter erupts in the air, especially from Yeosang's side, and though the sight is amusing I decide I don't want wanna leave Wooyoung alone in there so I join soon after.

The water's colder than I thought it'd be, but it's also refreshing. Wooyoung's hand is on the small of back as he quickly sticks to my side, and it makes my face hot.

"We totally planned this," Mingi states, high-fiving Yunho with Yeosang still on his back. "You can't spend a second without each other."

"Y'all are gonna so get it," Wooyoung says. Our eyes fleetingly lock, and once again, without reading his mind I know exactly what he's thinking.

We start chasing them all.

• • •

Sometime as the sun begins descending down the horizon, peach and orange blazing the expanse of the sky, two new people show up at Hongjoong's request. They're Seonghwa and Jongho, one with some cake and the other with a polaroid in hand. It warms my heart because, although I'm not as close with them as I've become with everyone else, they've been nothing but kind to me.

I watch in awe as Wooyoung -- with Yunho's help -- sends multiple fireworks charging across the dimming sky. Each one sparks a different colour as magic sizzles in them, shedding vibrant hues over everyone at the beach.

A year ago, I never would've thought I'd have all these people on my side. All this support.

The bonfire Yeosang, Mingi and Hongjoong had managed to build earlier casts shadows over Jongho's outfit as he treks to where Wooyoung and I are. Behind him at the darkened seashore lies Hongjoong showing something on his phone to Seonghwa.

"It's been a while since I've seen you guys," Jongho chuckles, fiddling with his camera. "But you two look a little different now."

I laugh, feeling Wooyoung's eyes on me as I do. "Really?"

"You no longer look emo as fuck and Wooyoung no longer looks like a grape," Yeosang utters beside Jongho, appearing out of nowhere.

"Fuck you Yeo." Wooyoung throws a towel at his face, which he grimaces at. Jongho and I grin at their antics, and I'm too happy to feel offended at Yeosang calling me emo. And I can't really blame him, to be honest.

"You're disgusting," Yeosang answers, grey eyes akin to a hurricane, but he doesn't leave, and that's how I know no matter how often he berates or teases Wooyoung, he cares for him so much more than he wants others to believe.

"I want to take a pic of you two," Jongho states afterwards. "You look great together."

"What if I don't show up on film?" I ask as an attempt to still the slow thrum of my heartbeat.

"Unlike Hongjoong, I'm pretty sure you have a soul, San," Yeosang jokes, flashing me a reassuring grin.

"Just got some blackmail material," Wooyoung giggles, fixing his dark hair while Yeosang just rolls his eyes.

He takes a step back as Jongho positions his camera, and before I can even process it, Wooyoung presses a kiss to my cheek. I'm pretty sure I now look like I saw a ghost. Then he's holding me close and now I can freely smile, and somehow I can feel his racing pulse underneath my fingertips.

"Looking great, guys!" Yunho hoots from the distance.

I can't even let myself be embarrassed because next thing I know, something thin and chilly slides over my finger. I look down, and there's this ring there, its crimson gemstone nearly pink from the flickering flames of the bonfire.

"Woo," I begin, and Wooyoung just grins, a dimple appearing.

"We'll let you guys have your moment," Jongho says, handing us the photos. In seconds, he and Yeosang are gone to join the others, and suddenly my nerves return.

"It's a ruby ring, July's birth stone. Goes with your eyes," Wooyoung tells me with a smirk. "Wanted to surprise you with it."

I think back to the time he asked for my ring size. But back then I'd assumed it was just one of the many random questions he asked to know more about me.

"It's really pretty," I reply, and it is. "I'm reminded of the first time I met you, when I had red streaks in my hair."

"Yeah," Wooyoung chuckles. He's so close I can smell the beach and his lovely cologne I've familiarized myself with so well. "It sounds like forever ago though. I feel like I've known you my whole life, no matter how cheesy that sounds."

"It's not cheesy." Biting my lip, I run my hand through his black curls. Though the lilac had looked great on him, I much prefer this colour. Or maybe it's because it's Wooyoung, and whatever he does becomes my new favourite thing.

He leans into my touch, and I'm smitten by the curve of his lashes and his full lips. Those lips have kissed mine a million times already, but I can never get enough of them.

His brown eyes meet mine, and I can't help the next words that leave my mouth. "You complete me."

The skies have gotten darker at this point, but I can make out the roseate blush blooming over the apples of Wooyoung's cheeks. It's an adorable sight, and the way he's smiling is even more adorable.

"Let's -- let's look at these pictures," Wooyoung says with a bit of a stutter to his voice, and I'm so filled with adoration for this boy beside me that I continue to speak.

"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me," I tell him. "You were nothing but nice to me from the time we first met, and because of you I got to know Yeosang, Hongjoong and everyone else. Because of you I got to know how it feels to give my heart to someone and trust them wholeheartedly."

"San..." Wooyoung clears his throat, nervous. "How am I supposed to one-up you now when you're so sweet?"

"You're even sweeter," I grin, looking down at the polaroids in front of us. My chest flutters at the image of Wooyoung kissing my cheek, and then at the others showcasing our smiling faces. They're just pictures, but the sheer happiness on them is as real as the affection I have for Wooyoung.

We look the same, yet so different at the same time. Of course, our hair colours match now though I recently got an undercut, and although it's only been a few months it's clear we've matured a lot.

And Wooyoung looks even more besotted with me than I initially expected. He looks so into me, and it's so obvious it makes my heart full.

"I look so pale," I say, because it's true. I don't think I'll ever get used to it.

"No," Wooyoung shakes his head. "You look perfect."

He's staring at me again, and with thoughts of the flowers at breakfast, this beach get-together and now this pretty ring on my finger infiltrating my mind, I don't hesitate to kiss him.

It's like we're the only ones here now, and there's nothing that matters but the feel of his plush lips against mine, moving seamlessly in tandem. He holds my face, fingers tenderly rubbing across my cheekbone. Heat swelters deep in my body as he kisses me harder, his other hand on the dip of my waist. I'm so addicted.

Someone clears their throat, the loud sound interrupting the moment.

Wooyoung and I break apart, and I'm mildly embarrassed when I see Yeosang looking at us.

"I just wanna eat my cake in peace," he says, taking the other available seat next to us with a plate. His lips are quirked though, so he's clearly joking.

"Whatever," Wooyoung glares at him. He stands, casting me an assured glance when I ask where he's going. "I'm gonna see if we have marshmallows so I can make us s'mores."

I nod and watch as he hurries off to where Yunho, Mingi and Jongho are, his smile like a ray of sunshine when they address him. I can't look away.

"It's nice seeing how much you guys love each other," Yeosang states next to me.

"He's amazing," I answer.

"You are too," he says, eating a forkful of cake. "That's what happens when two awesome people meet: they bring out the best in each other."

I see him grinning. "Thank you, Yeosang."

"No need to, San. I'm just stating facts."

I look at Wooyoung again. Then at Mingi and Yunho. They're both laughing at something as Jongho rips open a packet of marshmallows. I don't need to turn my head to know Yeosang's staring, too.

I think of everything that's happened thus far, and the more I think about it, the clearer it gets.

"Hey, Yeosang."

"Hm?"

"Do you like Mingi and Yunho?"

Yeosang coughs.

I rub his back. "Are you okay?"

"No comment."

"But -- "

"No comment." He looks at me. "I'm still figuring it out so do not say anything about it again. Especially not to them."

"I'm sure they feel something too -- "

Yeosang disappears.

Before I dwell too much on it, Wooyoung is back. This time though, he encourages me to join the others. This will become a memory I'd look back on with a smile I bet, but right now I'm having too much fun to think about anything else.

I can't eat more than one s'more however, but it's more than fine since Wooyoung's ever so generous with his kisses.

"Wooyoung?" I ask later that night. We aren't on the beach any longer, but back at his family house and in his bed. I've just made a crown out of the remaining flowers, and even when he commented about how ridiculous it'll look on him, he still wears it anyway.

"Yeah?" He looks up from where he lies on my lap, and I don't resist the urge to stroke his cheek.

"The Wish Ball you got. You said you used up all its wishes, but you never told me what the last one was."

"Oh, that." Wooyoung chews his lip. "Well... I uh, I wished you'll always find a reason to be happy."

"Really?" Warmth ignites my chest.

"Mhm." Wooyoung nods, sitting up. "You mean the world to me, and I want you to be happy."

I pull him close, embracing him in a hug. He stills at first at how sudden it is, but quickly loosens up. His hand caresses my hair as he plants kisses on my neck.

"I want you to be happy too," I admit, looking at him. "Because you deserve it, and I love you."

"And I love you, San," Wooyoung replies without missing a beat. His ears are red, conveying how flustered he is, but he's serious. He means this.

"And despite being the witch here you make everything a thousand times more magical," he grins, kissing me again. "And I never want it to end. I never want us to end."

"Me neither." I've never been more sure of anything else.

Thank you for being in my life.

• • •

a/n: finally i've completed this fic. thanks for everyone who waited and thanks for being so encouraging and giving this fic a chance

love you all <3

thoughts?